A single-vehicle accident took the life of a Claxton man and closed Interstate 16 in both directions Thursday afternoon according to the Bryan County Sheriff’s Department.

Douglas McArthur Coley, age 70, was traveling west near the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 280 when the Chevrolet Uplander he was driving veered off the highway, into a culvert, and burst into flames just after 2:30 p.m., Sheriff Clyde Smith said.

“He struck something and the car ignited,” Smith said.

According to the sheriff, Coley died at the scene.

As of 4:30 p.m. all lanes of the interstate had been reopened.

Drive-by shooting injures one in Savannah

One man has been transported to Memorial University Medical Center after a shooting in Savannah’s westside Thursday night, said Savannah-Chatham police spokeswoman Gena Sullivan.

Arkeem Anthony, 20, was walking into the U.S. Foods at 1315 Augusta Ave. at 7:20 p.m., Sullivan said, when a white, four-door vehicle with several occupants pulled into the parking lot and at least one of its occupants opened fire.

Anthony was struck and was transported to the hospital. Information as to the extent of his injuries was not immediately available.

Metro police violent crimes detectives are investigating and seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the people involved.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the violent crimes unit at 912-651-6728 or Crimestoppers at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (275637). In the body type, include “CStop2020” plus the tip. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.

Meet a Savannah-Chatham police captain

Savannah-Chatham police Central Precinct Capt. DeVonn Adams will meet with residents of the precinct Saturday to discuss neighborhood watch programs and other issues.

The meeting will take place in the Notre Dame Academy at 1709 Bull St. and will begin at 10 a.m. The meeting is open to the public.

Sheriff’s Office collects unused prescription drugs

The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office will team up with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team to give people in the greater Savannah community an opportunity to safely dispose of unused or unwanted prescription drugs.

Residents can bring pills to one of five drop-off locations across Chatham County from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.

Last year, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office, deputies collected more than 800 pounds of prescription medications in Chatham County.

“You don’t need to bring them in any special packaging. Just bring them in the bottles, in baggies,” said Sheriff Al St Lawrence in the news release. “We just want to get them out of our citizens’ homes so they don’t fall into the wrong hands, especially the hands of our young people.”

The sheriff urges people not to flush pills down the toilet due to environmental concerns.

The non-medical use of prescription drugs ranks second to marijuana as the most popular form of drug abuse in the United States, and are commonly abused by high school seniors, according to the sheriff’s department.

GDOT schedules asphalt repair work on Ga. 26/U.S. 80

Georgia Department of Transportation crews will be repairing asphalt on Ga. 26/U.S. 80 in Chatham County early next week.

The eastbound left lane between Alfred Street and Fourth Street will be closed while crews are working.

Work is scheduled from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, weather permitting.

GDOT asks motorists to reduce speed and drive cautiously in these maintenance work zones.